Ever seen jets in the sky and watched the white trail that follows them? Those are called contrails (condensation trails) and it’s caused when hot exhaust meets cool air. Conspiracy theorists call those chemtrails because they allege that the government places chemicals in the contrails for mind control, to suppress human evolution, sterilize certain groups and/or control the weather. Environmental scientists have recently debunked the conspiracy. This is only one of the many bizarre conspiracy theories out there. less

Chemtrails

Ever seen jets in the sky and watched the white trail that follows them? Those are called contrails (condensation trails) and it’s caused when hot exhaust meets cool air. Conspiracy theorists call ... more

Photo: Nick Ledger/Getty Images/AWL Images RM

Chemtrails Ever seen jets in the sky and watched the white... Photo-10763258.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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PlutoThere are a number of conspiracy theories
surrounding the July 2015 flyover of Planet, but the most startling one
has its roots from much earlier. According to some people, Pluto simply
does not exist. Their reasoning is that if you cannot see it from an
Earth-based observatory, it does not exist. less

PlutoThere are a number of conspiracy theories surrounding the July 2015 flyover of Planet, but the most startling one has its roots from much earlier. According to some people, Pluto simply does not ... more

Photo: NASA, Handout

Pluto There are a number of conspiracy theories
surrounding... Photo-8315677.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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Operation Jade Helm

When news surfaced of a military exercise in which Texas was labeled "hostile territory," many on the far-right saw something more sinister: a plot by the Obama administration to institute a military takeover of Texas. Later, when several Texas Walmart stores were closed due to plumbing issues, some on the radical fringe claimed that the Walmarts were being converted into giant entrance facilities for a network of underground tunnels the military will use to transport troops across the country.

According to a Public Policy Polling survey 28 percent of voters believe secretive power elite with a globalist agenda is conspiring to eventually rule the world through an authoritarian one-world government, the New World Order (as enunciated by the first President George Bush).
Conspiracy theorists have long pointed to the pyramid on the dollar bill as an Illuminati symbol. less

The New World Order

According to a Public Policy Polling survey 28 percent of voters believe secretive power elite with a globalist agenda is conspiring to eventually rule the world through an authoritarian ... more

The New World Order According to a Public Policy Polling... Photo-4426653.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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Vaccines and autism

Some believe the government is hiding a link between childhood vaccines and autism and refuse to have their children vaccinated, despite scientific evidence that vaccines are safe. A recent outbreak of measles in a number of states illustrates how dangerous this theory is.

Vaccines and autism Some believe the government is hiding a... Photo-7689286.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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Throwing the Super Bowl

Super Bowl III was played in 1969. It was the Colts versus the Jets. Everything pointed to the Colts as winning the game but the Jets won, 16-7. Before the game began, the Jet’s quarterback guaranteed a victory and even though the Colts came close to scoring on several occasions, it happened once. Many people believe the Colt’s quarterback threw the game under the advice of the Colt’s coach, who had been rumored to have placed a $3 million bet on the Jets to win. less

Throwing the Super Bowl

Super Bowl III was played in 1969. It was the Colts versus the Jets. Everything pointed to the Colts as winning the game but the Jets won, 16-7. Before the game began, the Jet’s ... more

Some Americans believe that the government was behind or at the very least implicit in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Truthers point to evidence like the speed of the collapse, the melting point of the steel in the World Trade Center and the appearance of the damage at the Pentagon. All of their claims have been debunked, as shown in this Popular Mechanics article.

9/11 Truthers Some Americans believe that the government was... Photo-4522923.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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Clinton assassinations

According to this theory, ex-President Bill Clinton, during and before his presidency, had some of his associates assassinated that stood in the way of his career. A rumored list has about 50-60 people that died “under mysterious circumstances” during the Clinton Administration. As the theory goes, President Obama has a kill-list too, as did both Bushes.

Back in 1985, Patrick Ewing was one the best college basketball players around. Rumor has it that during the draft lottery, the envelope that contained Ewing’s name had been frozen so that NBA commissioner David Stern could identify it and the Knicks would have Ewing. less

Fixing the draft

Back in 1985, Patrick Ewing was one the best college basketball players around. Rumor has it that during the draft lottery, the envelope that contained Ewing’s name had been frozen so that NBA ... more

Photo: David J. Phillip, Left, Kevin La, AP

Fixing the draft Back in 1985, Patrick Ewing was one the best... Photo-1377431.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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Cable box spying

This group believes the government initiated the digital transition to spy on its citizens more effectively. They claim that each box has a microphone and tiny camera installed so that everything people do gets recorded and sent for the CIA for investigation. less

Cable box spying

This group believes the government initiated the digital transition to spy on its citizens more effectively. They claim that each box has a microphone and tiny camera installed so that ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, AP

Cable box spying This group believes the government initiated... Photo-1335247.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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Fluoride mind control

Everyone knows there is fluoride in tap water to help against cavities but several groups believe that there a few more uses for it such as government mind control, as a cover up for bad dental care, a New World Order plot to control people through the water and used to produce schizophrenia in Russian prison camps as well as a Communist plot to purify our body fluids. less

Fluoride mind control

Everyone knows there is fluoride in tap water to help against cavities but several groups believe that there a few more uses for it such as government mind control, as a cover up for bad ... more

It’s become popular to use natural or herbal medicines to help with everything from allergies to cancer. Doctors are on the fence about the healing properties of these natural cures, but many people believe that the pharmaceutical companies suppress evidence that proves how effective and safe natural cures can be and that if that information got out, these companies would go bankrupt. less

Big pharma

It’s become popular to use natural or herbal medicines to help with everything from allergies to cancer. Doctors are on the fence about the healing properties of these natural cures, but many people ... more

Photo: John Everett, STAFF

Big pharma It’s become popular to use natural or herbal... Photo-4329379.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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De-sensitizing TV

Family groups are complaining about the amount of violence in television and movies but they may have another reason to protest. According to some conspiracy theorist, the government is showing violent, made-up attacks on fiction shows to de-sensitize the population into thinking these acts of terror could happen so when the government actually commits the acts, citizens would just accept that some outside group did it. less

De-sensitizing TV

Family groups are complaining about the amount of violence in television and movies but they may have another reason to protest. According to some conspiracy theorist, the government is showing ... more

Long live the king. According to die-hard fans, Elvis Presley is alive and well, probably living in a retirement home. For those who are more pessimistic, or realistic, there are still questions over what killed him, leading many to think everything from assassination to aliens. less

Elvis is alive

Long live the king. According to die-hard fans, Elvis Presley is alive and well, probably living in a retirement home. For those who are more pessimistic, or realistic, there are still questions ... more

Photo: PRWeb

Elvis is alive Long live the king. According to die-hard fans,... Photo-3342095.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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Weather manipulation

HAARP, funded by the US Air Force, US Navy, the University of Alaska and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), was a research program created to research the ionosphere but several people believe that it is being used to manipulate the weather and/or use radio waves as mind control. In fact, the former governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura, wondered whether HAARP was using the site for weather or mind control. He went to the site, but was denied access. less

Weather manipulation

HAARP, funded by the US Air Force, US Navy, the University of Alaska and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), was a research program created to research the ionosphere but ... more

Despite the ever-changing and eternally complicated disease that is cancer, groups across the country believe the cure has already been found, as well as the cure for HIV/AIDS, but those greedy pharmaceutical companies refuse to release the cures and deny having it at all so they don’t lose any profits less

Hiding the cure

Despite the ever-changing and eternally complicated disease that is cancer, groups across the country believe the cure has already been found, as well as the cure for HIV/AIDS, but those greedy ... more

Explanations for devastating acts of violence can take many different roads and this one alleges that the United States had previous knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor and did nothing to stop it because the government needed a reason to go to war. A conspiracy theory that can be changed to fit whichever war needed. less

Pearl Harbor coverup

Explanations for devastating acts of violence can take many different roads and this one alleges that the United States had previous knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor and did nothing ... more

From print to the big screen, people have been following the Da Vinci Code since it first appeared on bookshelves but some people believe it should be moved from fiction to non-fiction. The theory that Jesus had children and the Holy bloodline isn’t new, people have been talking about this for decades but watching a movie is a lot easier than reading a book. less

Jesus' children

From print to the big screen, people have been following the Da Vinci Code since it first appeared on bookshelves but some people believe it should be moved from fiction to non-fiction. The ... more

Photo: ANDREW MEDICHINI, AP

Jesus' children From print to the big screen, people have... Photo-1443812.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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Subliminal movie messages

This one has been around since popcorn has been sold in movie theaters. The rumors say that the movies are spliced with messages of soda and popcorn so people will unknowingly crave the delicious snacks and pay extortion prices for them. less

Subliminal movie messages

This one has been around since popcorn has been sold in movie theaters. The rumors say that the movies are spliced with messages of soda and popcorn so people will unknowingly ... more

Photo: Jessica Kourkounis, For The Chronicle

Subliminal movie messages&nbsp; This one has been around... Photo-1452759.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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"Poltergeist" curse

The movie Poltergeist, despite being PG, scared not only the audience but the crew and actors on the set as well. Actors reported several items missing or moved. The crew reported the same phenomenon. The child actresses, Heather O’Rourke died before the third film was released and 3 others died as well. Curse or coincidence? less

"Poltergeist" curse

The movie Poltergeist, despite being PG, scared not only the audience but the crew and actors on the set as well. Actors reported several items missing or moved. The crew reported the same ... more

Apparently Paul McCartney died in 1969 and his “people” found a look-alike, sound-alike to replace him. Theorist say clues to McCartney’s untimely timed death can be found in the Beatles' recordings, only if you know what you’re looking for. less

Paul McCartney is dead

Apparently Paul McCartney died in 1969 and his “people” found a look-alike, sound-alike to replace him. Theorist say clues to McCartney’s untimely timed death can be found in ... more

Michael Jordan was rumored to have quit the NBA in 1993 because he was going to get suspended for gambling debts and instead of suffering the embarrassment, he decided to retire. That's right. The man who won three consecutive championships was going to get suspended for gambling. less

Michael Jordan gambling?

Michael Jordan was rumored to have quit the NBA in 1993 because he was going to get suspended for gambling debts and instead of suffering the embarrassment, he decided to retire. ... more

This one sounds more science fiction than theory. In October of 1943, the USS Eldridge was rendered invisible by refracting the light around it, kind of like that scene in The Avengers. This was done with the help of the CIA and Pentagon to create a new type of stealth ship for the war. Where physics gets ignored is when the ship mysteriously appears in the ocean, without anyone moving it there. It’s rumored the crew suffered terrible health problems and several of them died. This event is known as "The Philadelphia Experiment". less

The invisible battleship

This one sounds more science fiction than theory. In October of 1943, the USS Eldridge was rendered invisible by refracting the light around it, kind of like that scene in The Avengers. ... more

Photo: CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, AP

The invisible battleship This one sounds more science fiction... Photo-4416708.59625 - Houston Chronicle

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Bermuda Triangle

Everyone knows about the Bermuda Triangle, right off the coast of Florida, the island of Bermuda and Puerto Rico. There have been several disappearances in that area of the Atlantic and many people believe it’s because the Triangle has some sort of mysterious force that sends ships and/or aircrafts to the unknown. This theory is not without merit since several of the lost aircrafts and ships remain to be found. less

Bermuda Triangle

Everyone knows about the Bermuda Triangle, right off the coast of Florida, the island of Bermuda and Puerto Rico. There have been several disappearances in that area of the Atlantic and many ... more

Not so much a conspiracy theory as a fan theory. This theory states that James Bond is a code name, instead of a real person. This would account for why he never seems to age, looks different as years pass and the completely different personalities from Bond to Bond throughout the years. It makes sense since M and Q are code names so why shouldn't the world’s best and more dangerous spy have one as well? less

James Bond: A code name?

Not so much a conspiracy theory as a fan theory. This theory states that James Bond is a code name, instead of a real person. This would account for why he never seems to age, looks ... more

Photo: Greg Williams, Handout

James Bond: A code name? Not so much a conspiracy theory as a... Photo-3705768.59625 - Houston Chronicle